Calling Aphrodite
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Hoy, Bang
Photo by Shashin Desai
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By Ben Miles
After the atomic bombs were unleashed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945, over 200,000 people were quickly annihilated. By some accounts, those who died were the more fortunate ones. Tens of thousands lived on, albeit with severe injuries and horrific disfigurements. These survivors were referred to as hibakusha (translated as "bomb-affected people").
A decade after the world's first and only nuclear attacks--which brought World War II to a calamitous close--twenty-five young women from Hiroshima came by invitation to America. In the United States these young ladies could obtain reconstructive surgery that was unavailable in their homeland. The year was 1955, and the patients became known as the "Hiroshima Maidens" (which would have been a better name for the play). This historical footnote has inspired Velina Hasu Houston's latest play, Calling Aphrodite--in its world premiere at Long Beach's International City Theatre, through September 23.
Abstractly directed by Shasin Desai, Houston's conceit, while heartfelt and humane, would be better served as a representational slice-of-life drama instead of a presentational homage. Nevertheless, Desai's staging of the "blinding flash" of atomic devastation is as unnerving as it is theatrical (thanks to the lighting by Jeremy Pivnick and the sound design of Glen A. Dunzweiler).
The stalwart performances of Vivian Bang (as Shizuko) and Kym Hoy (as Keiko) humanize the story of the Hiroshima Maidens. Also, the supporting players, including Barry Lynch (as Dr. Everett) and Blake Kushi (as Dr. Matsubayashi) lend credibility to the proceedings.
Though the play is titled Calling Aphrodite, the use of a Greek idol as a metaphor of maternal love and peaceful possibilities doesn't quite add up dramatically. Matters aren't improved by Brenda Hattingh's awkward characterization of the Grecian goddess.
Calling Aphrodite plays Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. There's also a matinee on Sundays at 2 p.m. The International City Theatre is located at 300 East Ocean Blvd., in Long Beach. Reservations can be made by dialing (562) 436 - 4610. For further details, visit www.ictlongbeach.
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